DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE SAVED?

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

1. I John 5:3.

2. How can we know?

a) Not by feelings.

b) But by the things that are written

I. I am in Christ. Yes or No. Re: I John 5:11.

A. There have been times when it was imperative to be in the God appointed place at the God specified time.

1. In Noah’s time, safety was in the ark. Re: I Peter 3:20 – "wherein."

2. When the Lord "passed over" Egypt, safety could be found in the house with blood on the door posts and lintel.

3. Now, safety is in Christ. Re: I John 5:11.

B. "In Christ" men:

1. Are new creatures. Re: II Corinthians 5:17.

2. Have access to "all spiritual blessings". Re: Ephesians 1:3.

3. Have redemption from sin. Re: Colossians 1:12-14.

4. Enjoy forgiveness of sins. Re: Colossians 1:14.

5. Children of God. Re: Galatians 3:26.

C. To be in Christ is to be in his body, the church. Re: Colossians 1:12-14, 18.

D. Men are baptized into Christ. Re: Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27.

II. I am obeying Christ. Yes or No. Re: I John 2:3-5.

A. One cannot get into Christ, nor dwell in Christ, unless he keeps the commandments of Christ. Re: I John 3:24.

1. Men are no longer bound by the authority of the Old Testament.

2. God hath spoken unto men today by his son. Re: Hebrews 1:1-2.

3. God has challenged men to hear his son. Re: Matthew 17:5.

4. Therefore, the "commandments" of I John are not the commandments of the Old Testament, but God’s commandments given through Christ.

B. Christ has given commands which men must obey to become Christians. Re: Hebrews 5:8-9.

C. The Christian life is one of obedience. Re: I Peter 1:14 - "as obedient children".

III. I am following the example of Christ. Yes or No. Re: I John 2:6.

A. Peter said the Christ "left us an example." Re: I Peter 2:21.

1. Jesus both told and showed men how to live. Re: Acts 1:1.

B. Jesus challenged men to follow him. Re: John 8:12.

1. "Darkness" implies danger, uncertainty, and death.

2. "Light" is a real contrast to "darkness" – physically and spiritually.

3. One is not "enlightened" who refuses to follow Christ. Re: Ephesians 5:8.

IV. God’s word dwells in me. Yes or No. Re: I John 2:14.

A. Two blessings of the indwelling word:

1. One is spiritually strong. Re: I John 2:14; Psalm 119:11.

2. One can withstand temptation. Re: Matthew 4:4; 7; 10 – "it is written" as used by Jesus.

B. The "word of Christ" must indwell richly. Re: Colossians 3:16.

C. Therefore:

1. One must desire the word. Re: I Peter 2:12.

2. One must study the word. Re: II Timothy 2:15.

3. One must obey the word. Re: James 1:22.

V. The love of God rules in my heart. Yes or No. Re: I John 2:15-17.

A. Jesus said the great commandment is to love God. Re: Matthew 22:37.

1. To love God is to respect his son. Re: Matthew 17:5.

2. To love God is to love his son. Re: John 14:15.

B. God’s commands are not grievous (hard to obey) if one really loves God. Re: I John 5:3.

C. Love for God dispels love of the world. Re: I John 2:15-17.

D. To love God one must be taught, and meditate on, the love God has shown to man. Re: I John 4:10; I John 4:19.

E. One cannot love God without loving the children of God. Re: I John 5:1-2.

VI. The practice of righteousness is a way of life for me. Yes or No.

A. The acid test of discipleship is righteousness in life.

1. William Barclay said: "The profession of a man’s lips will always be proved or disproved by the practice of his life."

2. One must "work righteousness" to please God. Re: Acts 10:34-35.

B. Christianity is not limited to one day a week; it is a way of life.

1. In Acts Christianity is called "a way" or "the way." Re: Acts 9:2.

2. Isaiah called Christianity a "way of holiness." Re: Isaiah 35:9.

C. To practice righteousness (right doing) is to keep God’s commandments. Re: Psalm 119:172.

1. One can know he is saved.

a) If he is in Christ.

b) If he is obeying Christ.

c) If he is following the example of Christ.

d) If God’s word dwells in him.

e) If the love of God rules in his heart.

f) If the practice of righteousness is a way of life for him.